For students, by students who've been through it.
TIE, empadronamiento, renewal, regreso — every form, field, and OAC shortcut, shared by international students who queued at every office and figured it out. Guides free forever. Bring a human when you need one.
From your first week in town to your residence renewal, we make every step clear for students landing in Barcelona.
You shouldn't need to learn Spanish bureaucracy on day one. We translate every form, fee, and office into plain English — and walk you through it in order.
Right after you arrive
Register your home address with city hall, then turn your student visa into a Spanish residence ID card. Almost nothing else works until these two are done.
When you need to travel
Flying home for the holidays before your residence card is ready? Get the official permit that lets you re-enter Spain without losing your student status.
Before your residence expires
Renew your student residence so you can keep living and studying in Barcelona for another year.
Meet the 4 processes every student in Barcelona has to handle.
Empadronamiento (Address Registration)
Register your address with Barcelona city hall
First TIE Application (after arrival)
Convert your student visa into a residence card
TIE Renewal (Prórroga de Estudios)
Extend your student residence and get a new card
Autorización de Regreso (Return Authorization)
Travel and return while your TIE is expired or being renewed
Forms, fees, and the offices behind them.
Not a gestor. A senior student who already figured it out.
The Compass guides are free forever— every flow, every deadline, no paywall. If you want a human, we're here too: Companion gives you a 1:1 call and message support, and Concierge meets you on the ground — airport pickup, SIM, empadronamiento, TIE. You pick the level. No gestor fees, no legal jargon.
Heads up — UniMate is an educational guide, not legal advice. Rules change, so always confirm with official government sources before you submit.